Tybee Island Maritime Academy (TIMA) is the second elementary school in the United States and Georgia's first elementary school to focus on maritime studies, but TIMA teachers soon discovered there weren't any informational books written for young students on maritime.

After summer training in maritime areas, TIMA teachers wrote their own books explaining maritime studies for students.

On Friday, July 26 Elvin Hernandez, professor of Media Arts and Animation of the Art Institute of Washington arrived on Tybee to illustrate the teachers' books. Mr. Hernandez spent the day working individually with each teacher discussing the illustrations for the books. Elvin Hernandez graduated from SCAD with a Master's Degree in Sequential Art.

Tybee Island Maritime Academy has openings for students in grades K-4. For more information about enrolling your K-4 child in this tuition free public school, please contact the principal, Pat Rossiter, at 912-660-4392.

They will hold an open house Aug. 8 from 5-7 p.m. The first day of classes is Aug. 12.